Colin and Justin: Mid-century modern leaves its mark
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No shortage of TV series that inspire resurgence of 1960s design style
Little thrills us more than commanding architecture, combined with a film or TV series we love, the resultant mix conspiring cinematic or small screen heaven.
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Think Colin Firth’s ‘Single Man’, a visual feast that plays against the 1949 John Lautner designed Californian ‘Schaffer Residence’. Or perhaps Mad Men, starring John Hamm, set as it is in the teak clad, martini-swilling marketing bureaus of New York.
Each production shoots against a ‘mid-century’ backdrop, a post war design oeuvre that served functionality, tailored aesthetics and morale boosting, textural layers.
When ‘Mid Century Modern’ launched recently on Disney+, we binged 50% of the series in one evening. Starring Nathan Lane, Matt Bomer and Nathan Lee Graham (and featuring the late Linda Lavin) it narrates the tale of three ‘of a certain age’ gay friends who elect to share life as ‘chosen family’ in chi-chi Palm Springs. It’s hilarious TV. And oh, that backdrop.
Detailed with exposed timbers, ‘butterfly’ ceilings and brick elevations, the MCM period (after which the Disney+ series is named) spanned 1945 to 1970, its lines prolific in Southern California, not least Palm Springs, a magnet to which Hollywood luminaries like Marilyn Monroe, Dean Martin and Sinatra escaped the hustle of Tinseltown.
The destination was welcoming, and the air – whilst certainly hot – was purer, in comparison to LA’s fume filled, fog ridden atmosphere.
After a decline in the ’80s, a resurgence in the ’90s and a further dip during the subprime mortgage crisis that kicked off in 2007, the enclave is once again buzzing (its market buoyed by the pandemic) although today’s star quotient is measured by architectural merit rather than A-listers: think low rise concrete (oft’ white painted) bungalows filled with Eames chairs and Danish credenzas, and travertine walls yielding to plectrum shaped pools and craggy mountain views.
Two creatives who seized an opportunity in the reemerging market are Scottish born Brian McGrory and his celebrity photographer husband James Houston who, along with their five-year -old daughter Dylan, divide time between homes in LA and Palm Springs.
Brian and we go way back: having worked together in the 1990’s, at The Tron Theatre in Glasgow’. Back then, we all had eyes on adventure, Brian initially travelling to New York, where he opened a restaurant, and we to Toronto.
Our old friend’s resume also extends to the creative industry where he and James run Studio JBD (www.studiojbdinc.com) a successful design practise that boasts, amongst its client roster, actress Connie Britton, and myriad other bold face names from film and television.
Being that Brian and James’ business also includes property development, a desert home soon caught their eye. Catching up this week, by phone, we learned more about the exciting project which, Brian explains, provides welcome relief from his existence in L.A.
“We love the architectural vernacular, and the atmosphere is liberating. Since the pandemic, great restaurants have opened, and the shopping is really good.” For anyone inclined to chase their own desert dream, Brian advises engaging a good realtor.
“Don’t rush into anything,” he counsels. “Appraise every comparable, and spend time in the city, and its environs, to build a perspective of what the lifestyle’s like.” Pausing, for a moment, he adds: “Something that looks fun on paper, might feel very different when you arrive, so don’t rush the process.”
Brian and James’ architectural gem is testament to the care with which it was lavished, most of it eschewing bolder colourways (oft’ witnessed in the desert) in favour of a restrained, woodsy palette, photographed here by James.
Brian also references the relaxed nature of Palm Springs, being that it boasts just 45,000 residents. “But be aware: that triples during the tourist season, and temperatures often sail beyond 45 degrees Celsius. So, factor in the costs of A/C.”
As much as we’d love to bag our own fixer-upper in the Californian outpost, we’ve a Scottish pied a terre to ‘correct’, and North Star*, our Maritimes hotel, to further develop.
For now, we’ll sate our appetite by binging the remaining half of Mid Century Modern on Disney+. Hey, the world as it is, we need all the laughs we can get…
Watch for Colin and Justin on City-tv’s Breakfast Television and Colin and Justin’s Sub- Zero Reno on Paramount Plus TV. Find the Colin and Justin Home Collection in stores across Canada.
Visitwww.colinandjustin.tv
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